• Listen

  What it means

  Today’s celebration brings tomorrow’s regret. A warning that excess or indulgence is followed by consequences.

  Vocabulary

  • bal — ball, party, celebration
  • żal — regret, sorrow, grief

  Grammar note

  A minimal two-word rhyming proverb. Both 'bal' and 'żal' are masculine nouns in the nominative. The rhyme carries the whole meaning.

  Cultural context

  Reflects a moralistic streak in Polish folk wisdom — enjoyment is fine but one must be prepared to pay for it.

  Beginner

Noticed a typo, a wrong translation, or anything that doesn't look right? We'd love to fix it — just let us know via the contact page. Thank you!